Dec 03,2007 00:00 by
UPI NEW YORK -- A team of developers and financiers have proposed building the world's longest road tunnel connecting Long Island's North Shore to Rye, N.Y.

State Sen. Carl Marcellino announced he will begin public hearings on the $10 billion, privately funded proposal by Polimeni International, a Long Island-based development company, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

The proposed tunnel would begin at Route 135, travel under Long Island Sound and several towns and resurface near I-287 in Westchester, the newspaper said.

Supporters of the tunnel say it is logistically possible, and would save some drivers 30 miles of driving.

But opponents have raised concerns it would undermine private water aquifers, and the financing would run out before the project's completion. They have also raised questions about who would be responsible for tunnel security.